WIP - DM&IR Yellowstone

[SavaTheAggie]

Yellowstone_WiP_05 by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr

This project has stalled a bit, partially due to other projects getting more attention from me, partially because of funding. I'm hoping by posting it hear I'll reignite the fire to get this thing finished.

She's a model of the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone Steam locomotives.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-8-8-4

She'll be powered by four M motors, my second attempt at trying to build a locomotive with powered drivers. The tender will hold the battery box, hopefully the AA version for longer run times, and quite possibly the IR receiver as well. I was going to put the receiver in the boiler, but there's just no real place to put it - no detail that looks like an IR receiver nub.

Here is a mockup I built of the boiler design, for those interested:

Yellowstone Boiler Mockup 2 by SavaTheAggie, on Flickr

Originally I had hoped to have her built for Brickworld, but I don't see that happening now. A pity.

--Tony

[-Horizon-]

Wow, I'm not a train expert, but even I can tell that looks great!

[garethjellis]

Nice model. I am interested to see the designs for the 4 motors in the bogies.

[Barduck]

Seen this on your Flickr some time ago, really love it. I'd be seriously tempted to buy the instructions for this one if you ever decide to put them for sale on your bricklink

Edited May 8, 2014 by Barduck

[zephyr1934]

Excellent! A very fine looking locomotive and so far a good looking MOC.

[wondermonkey]

I would love to build this too. I spent a lot of time in Duluth/Two Harbors when I was younger and can imagine one of these hauling iron ore to the lake back in the day. I've been to the rail museum in Duluth a number of times but I didn't realize there was one up in Two Harbors also. I'm not sure how I missed it. Wikipedia says the DM&IR version had a centipede tender, are you planning on building it that way? BTW, I changed my avatar to a picture I took from 2003 at the Duluth Railway Museum to support your project, I really want to see this finished!

[bmacro]

I'm not skilled with steam locomotives, but I think it's a nice project. Hope to see it soon build in reality.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

Wow, what a giant steam engine!

When I see your works I know that you're playing in a different league ...and this beast looks incredible! :wub:

I love the shape of your cab and the very front bogie of this huge locomotive! :thumbup:

[SavaTheAggie]

Thank you all. Obviously there's still much work to do, both in actual construction and overall design. Yes, I plan to build the tender with it's centipede wheels, though I haven't decided on a final design.

The motors will be housed in the boiler, each pair will face each other with a vertical axle shaft between. I've designed the 7 wide boiler to have a 3 stud void in the middle specifically for the motors. The flanged and blind drivers in the render in my original post are actually reversed from where they will be in the final design. This will accomplish several things, not the least of which will be to improve how she articulates. Like my Allegheny, both sets of divers will be articulated to reduce overhang in curves, but unlike the Allegheny, the Yellowstone will not have a floating driver set. The switch in flanged drivers will also allow me to install a more robust anchor for the pony truck, which should accommodate double heading with less risk of breakage.

I was originally going to use four of the new "L" motors because of their higher torque, but their increased battery drain and much higher price have lead me to decide to go with the M motors instead. I plan to use no gear reduction, which means she'll be capable of some impressive feats of speed along with a nice amount of power, but if I can fit a gear reduction in there I may just do so. We'll see.

--Tony

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I'm waiting for your solutions my friend!

Only one advice: use the first version of the PF receiver if you wanna manage more than 2 M motors

[jtlan]

Only one advice: use the first version of the PF receiver if you wanna manage more than 2 M motors

Is there something amiss with the V2 receiver? I thought the V2 was capable of higher current delivery, which would make it a better choice…?

Edited May 13, 2014 by jtlan

[Barduck]

Sorry to bump this but it's been very quite on this beautifull project, so how far are you with it now?

[SavaTheAggie]

I got pulled into a secret project during the summer, which I'm not at liberty to divulge, and I've run into an issue of financial limitations. I haven't abandoned this build, but I've not progressed, either.

--Tony

[Barduck]

If there was ever one loco I'd buy the instructions for it was this one, really hope you get the fire burning in the box again once the other project you're involved with is finished, it's been on my "I want this" list from the beginning you showed the first pictures and renders

[marook]

I got pulled into a secret project during the summer, which I'm not at liberty to divulge, and I've run into an issue of financial limitations. I haven't abandoned this build, but I've not progressed, either.

--Tony

Have a look at the new https://www.sbrick.com for controlling more than two motors at once.. ;-)

[Daedalus304]

With SBrick being around $60 US each vs the IR Receiver`s $15 pricetag, I`m not sure how it is meant to be an answer to a price limit problem.

[marook]

With SBrick being around $60 US each vs the IR Receiver`s $15 pricetag, I`m not sure how it is meant to be an answer to a price limit problem.

Well, yeah, that adds up a bit.. guess shipping is more expensive to the US.. anyway, I was more focused on controlling multiple motors with the same controller , incl. lights.

I know about the money issue - it's not fun.. :-/

[jlassen]

Bump.

Any progress on this beautiful looking project? I too would by instructions in a heartbeat.

[SavaTheAggie]

I have finally begun building this project.  So far the top of the boiler is complete and the two L motors are installed.  Next I plan to finalize the wheel sets so I can better understand how the bottom of the boiler will interact with the wheels.

I won't post any more updates hereuntil it's finished, but you can follow my progress on Flickr.

--Tony

 

[yoshi98bc]

I'd buy instructions too.  Your models are great

[Dan-147]

The one I'd like instructions for is the Dreyfuss NYC Hudson. Anthony, you wouldn't happen to be making those instructions to sell, would you? 

Dan-147

[SavaTheAggie]

We're getting off topic, but to answer the questions - the Yellowstone may or may not find it's way into my instructions list.

The Dreyfuss contains far too many ultra rare parts to ever be considered.

--Tony